Employment Legislation

All employers are bound by the Law to adhere to various legislative practices including, but not limited to: -

Disability Discrimination Act (1995), Race Relations Amendment Act (2000), Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974), Data Protection Act (1998), Asylum and Immigration Act (1996).

If you are seeking employment or are currently employed and symptomatic of Huntington’s Disease, you are covered by the Disability Discrimination Act (1995).

Under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act, discrimination will arise if, for a reason which relates to the person’s disability, the employer treats that person less favourably than it treats or would treat others who are not disabled, unless there is a substantial and material justification. Furthermore the Act states that employers are expected to make “reasonable adjustments” to accommodate people with disabilities; e.g. to premises or working practices to enable a disabled person to be employed. Certain occupations such as the Police, Fire Brigade, Army and RAF (see below) are exempt from employing persons with certain medical conditions due to the genuine occupational requirements of the role.

If you are not symptomatic of Huntingtons Disease, whether you are at risk, or have the changed ene, you are covered by other areas of legislation with regards to employment.

Career Options

Being at risk of HD or carrying the changed gene (pre-symptomatic) should not preclude you from achieving what you wish to in the field of employment. Understandably if you are symptomatic there are certain types of employment which you may be unable to do, due to the nature of Huntington’s Disease.

Frequently when applying for a role you are asked to fill out a Health Questionnaire. For most forms of employment you will not be asked about the potential for developing Huntington’s Disease only about previous illness and existing (symptomatic) conditions. The SHA has contact with many people who are at risk or pre-symptomatic of HD. These persons are living a fulfilling life studying at school, College or University, working as carers, nurses, mechanics, Doctors, teachers, shop attendants etc. You should be able to follow the career path which you wish without fear of being rebutted due to HD!

Police

The entire selection process for the police is designed to be challenging and by its very nature can be time consuming. Further information regarding the recruitment and selection procedure for the police is detailed on your local force website.

Within the recruitment process you complete an application form, and then undertake a Standard Entrance Exam comprising of language, number and information handling tests, then interviews with yourself and family, a fitness assessment and lastly a pre-employment medical questionnaire and medical with an examining officer.

When completing the pre-employment medical questionnaire you are obligated to disclose your risk, or carrier, status of Huntington’s Disease. If you do not disclose your risk, or carrier, status your integrity could be called into question and your future as a police officer could be jeopardised. Upon disclosing your risk, or carrier, status the Medical Examiner would review your case based on your ability to fulfil the role requirements at the moment you apply for the Force, not on the risk of becoming symptomatic in the future. This is based on guidelines issued by the Home Office for recruitment of police officers with genetic conditions which states that: -

‘Any genetic condition is likely to require further information, investigation and assessment.’

Furthermore the medical guidance notes for the police stipulate that: -

‘There is absolutely no barrier to recruitment because an individual suffers from any specific medical condition. All applications for entry are assessed on their input individually by the recruitment department with input from the force medical advisor. This allows the force to consider the need for any reasonable adjustments on a case by case basis.’

The Police work across all six strands of diversity- race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, and belief. Furthermore various forces throughout Scotland are signed up to the Double Tick Standard, which means that Jobcentre Plus recognises that they have made certain commitments regarding the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled employees, alongside adhering to the Disability Discrimination Act (1995).

If you are symptomatic of HD you will not be automatically discounted, however it you may wish to consider a supportive role within the service due to the stressful nature of police officers role.

For more information visit www.policecouldyou.co.uk

Army

Unfortunately and understandably, there are many medical conditions that are not compatible with Army Service, due to the nature of the work in the Army. Certain Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders would potentially discount you from enlistment, due to the nature of the role. Therefore if you are symptomatic of HD you may be unable to fulfil your ambition to be an army recruit.

The recruitment for the Army comprises several strands, one of which is the Medical Questionnaire. The Medical Questionnaire comprises of a self-certification section, a section for your GP to complete and finally a medical examination with a Medical Officer.  During this section of the process you will have to disclose the genetic risk, or changed status, of Huntingtons Disease. This should not discount you from joining the Army and each case will be reviewed individually. Similarly, if you have tested positive for the changed gene, your case will be reviewed by the Medical Officer.

For more information view www.armyjobs.mod.uk

RAF

The recruitment and selection procedure to join the RAF is a long and in-depth process.

Initially all applicants need to complete an Application form and then potential recruits take a series of tests to see if they meet the standards required in the RAF which include Aptitude Tests, Pre-Joining Fitness Test, and Interviews. A medical will also be required. The changed gene for HD is not screened for in the medical process however, you will have to disclose your risk or changed gene status. If you are symptomatic of HD it will preclude you from certain roles within the service however, this would be discussed during the medical examination.